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Review

“Griffin…understands the psychology and motivations of military and clandestine service officers.”—Publishers Weekly

Product Description

Charley Castillo and the former members of Presidential Agent’s Office of Organizational Analysis are officially “retired.” But that doesn’t mean they’re out of action…

At a Mexican roadblock, a US Embassy SUV is stopped at gunpoint, three of its passengers murdered, and a fourth kidnapped. Everything points to the drug cartels, especially when the kidnappers say they will return the hostage if a cartel kingpin is released from US federal prison. But when word gets to Castillo and his group of retired spies and special operators, they have their doubts.

They believe that it's a diversion—that the murders and kidnapping were ordered by someone to lure Castillo & Company to their deaths. But even knowing that may not save them. Powerful forces in the US government are arrayed against them as well, and if one side doesn't get them...the other side will.

I am an avid reader of W E B Griffin. I have read all of his previous novels in all the different series he has written.This book does not seem to have the exitement of previous books in this series. I hope his next books are better and more like he used to write

I have discovered this writer team as of late and I like it. However I find his books are more ARMY report types than NOVELS. Some details appear at first glance to be just added words to make up an book lenght. got three (3) books .............. Maybe I'll get a couple more ........

2.0 out of 5 starsCouldn't put it down..should have dropped itDec 23 2011

By Victor M. Labella - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

I read it in almost 12 hours. I was so pumped for it. I am an avid devotee of Presidential Series. My opinion? GREAT LET DOWN! For instance, I enjoyed the different stages of drama 1) Possible presidential meltdown of an incompetent CIC 2) Possible retailiation by Putin 3) Drug war influence with introducing a new ally for Castillo 4) But what was delivered by Father and Son was good background intrigue but no follow-up on anything dramatic. Too many open ended questions. For instance, 1) It was implied that Montvale may be involved in the coup d'etat but nothing explored. 2) So much was written about the transfer of Ferris that hardly anything was mentioned on his plight or what was happening behind the scenes that led up to the next to last chapter! Only 1 chapter on the planning and execution of the extraction? 3) No other mention on what Abrego's people were doing or planning or how that played out. That was disappointing. 4) It appeared the rest of Castillo's men or "the Other People" took a break from this book. I don't know why the author's did that especially after the confrontation in the beginning of the book 5) Castillo and Sweaty are going to be parents? That got 2 sentences and nothing else was mentioned. 6) There was also an implication that Abuela's involvement may be the heaviest since the series started but nothing afterwards. 7) There was mention of Naylor and McNab maybe playing a role in making things right, but that was another let down. 8) I'm not sure what side of the fence Montavle, Lammelle, and Cohen are on now. Based on the last book, Lammelle and Montavle owe Castillo and the gang for being in the positions they're in but I'm not sure whose side they're on now. Usually, Natalie Cohen knows everything but she was unusually out-of-the-loop until she and Charley talked. But nothing led up to her being untrustworthy. In closing, I am very disappointed in ending of book. There wasn't the usual excitement in the planning and execution of the mission. Thumbs down.

48 of 50 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 starsDisappointed - but tolerantDec 23 2011

By Amazon Customer - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

I have read Mr. Griffin for more than 25 years and love his work. The Brotherhood of War is clearly his finest work and what I cut my teeth on. Honor Bound was a delight until the last few - but tolerable. It may be reader loyalty, I just don't know - the characters in his novels are old friends I visit frequently. Charley and his Merry Band are fun to read and at least this installment reduces covering old history (except in the last 10% (!) - that was irritating). I will stick with him but he needs to go to his roots and pound out good, reinforced, storytelling that I am used to.I will keep getting his (and his son's) books - just to see how the old friends are doing. I miss the Old School Griffin. This story would have been 100% better if he had just done what put him in the niche.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 starsOne of the worst books writtenDec 31 2011

By David - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Hardcover|Verified Purchase

I have read all of the books in the presidential agent series and this is by far not even close to the first several books. As other readers have indicated, the series took a downturn with book 6 and this book #7 was the worst book I have read. Three quarters of the book was referencing and reliving the previous 6. I thought this was about covert warriors. Where was the action? Plot??? People showed up and then disappear. A disappointment and I do not think I will purchase anymore in the series.

28 of 31 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 starsGood, but not Griffin at his bestDec 25 2011

By Steve - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Hardcover

I have read all of WEB Griffin's books more than once. More than a few times, in fact. When I read that this book was being co-authored with his son, I was a bit worried, given that not all of the books so co-authored were a success.

That being said, it was a decent book. Not Griffin at his best, however. And as usual, far too many pages were devoted to the backstory. The fans don't need that and new readers can read the other books to fill them in.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 starsJust so disappointedDec 30 2011

By Benny D - Published on Amazon.com

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

This has got to me the "let down" of my Christmas season. I am an avid fan of the author and was excited to know that a new book of his (even if written by William) was going to be out around Christmas time (all of those hours I would have to sit and enjoy this book). Wow, I kept picking it up giving it chance after chance to pull everything together so that I could have a moment of "ahhhh, now I see where it was going" - but to my surprise and dismay, my only "ahhhhh" moment came when I finished the book "Ahhhhhh, finally done with that disaster".

I'm with the others, past books were great. This one, skip it and you will not be disappointed or left behind in the series.